Darlington Akabwai

Senior Researcher

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Working with Feinstein since 1995

Based in Lodwar, Kenya

photo of Darlington Akabwai

Darlington Akabwai conducts research and is responsible for research operations for Feinstein projects in Uganda and South Sudan, with an emphasis on Karamoja. He works closely with governments and local communities to ensure that research projects are carried out effectively and respectfully. Having worked on community-based programs with pastoralist communities in Africa for more than 25 years, Darlington is an expert on indigenous knowledge and culture. His training as a veterinarian and his reputation as a peacemaker affords him great respect throughout the region. Officials within the African Union’s Conflict Management Unit consider him to be one of the most respected and successful peacemakers in Uganda, Kenya, and Sudan, and they regularly call on his expertise.

Prior to joining Feinstein, Darlington pioneered community-based approaches to livestock care in East Africa and was instrumental in establishing programs that controlled rinderpest in Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. With the African Union, Darlington developed one of the cornerstones of its work: pastoral conflict resolution and management, including working with local women to bring peace to the area with “Women’s Peace Crusades.”

He holds a degree in veterinary medicine from the University of Nairobi.

Darlington’s dog, Rex, is his great friend who never stops barking.

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Livelihoods and human security
  • The Seer people in pastoral areas of eastern Africa
  • Urban migration of pastoralists ending their practice of pastoralism

REGIONAL FOCUS

  • Uganda
  • South Sudan

COURSES TAUGHT

MOST CITED BOOKS & ARTICLES

MOST RECENT EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS

  • Stites, Elizabeth and Darlington M. O. Akabwai. “’We are now reduced to women’: Impacts of forced disarmament in Karamoja, Uganda.” Nomadic Peoples 14 no. 2 (2010).
  • Darlington M. O. Akabwai. “The Social Transformation of Pastoralist Conflicts and Cattle Rustling in Eastern Africa: The AK-47 Factor.” Institute for Security Studies. 2009.
  • Darlington M. O. Akabwai. “Extension and Livestock Development: Experience From among the Turkana Pastoralists of Kenya.” Overseas Development Institute. 1992.

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